When asked by a Labour MP to whether he supported the paper for its coverage, he said: "I certainly wouldn't congratulate the Guardian newspaper."

"I can see what has been done here where information has been published about the work of our security and intelligence services, which quite frankly will make this country less safe."

He added: "We live in a free country so newspapers are free to publish what they want.

"We have not been heavy-handed and come in with injunctions and all the rest of it, but we do appeal to newspapers to use judgment and common sense and responsibility when they are making these decisions."